Jordan says it will not take in Syrians fleeing new offensive

The kingdom is working with the US and Russia to protect its national interests, says spokeswoman

Smoke rises above opposition held areas of Daraa during an air strike by Syrian regime forces, on June 25. AFP

Officials say Jordan will not take in Syrians fleeing the Syrian government's latest offensive in the south of the country, near Jordan's border.

Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Al Assad have been advancing deeper into the southern Daraa province, under the cover of air strikes. Meanwhile, the United States reportedly told rebels not to expect an American intervention to defend them from the army's offensive.

Jordanian government spokeswoman Jumana Ghunaimat says the kingdom is working with the US and Russia to protect its national interests. The Jordan Times on Monday quoted her as saying that Jordan has already absorbed large numbers of Syrian refugees and that "we simply cannot receive more".

Jordan hosts about 660,000 registered refugees, but says the actual number of displaced Syrians in the kingdom is twice as high.

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